Author's Note: So I'm a bad person because I wasn't able to update as often as I wanted to, and had other things that needed my attention and for that I apologize. I hope you guys aren't all angry with me and don't form a lynch mob after me because of this, so I can continue writing this story in the Fall. So until then, have a great Summer! I don't own Skyrim. Enjoy!

P.S. I decided to just speed up a few other things here so Will would have more Shouts and training under his belt.

The Plan

It was about a week until we heard from Delphine again. Lydia and I stayed at the inn in Riverwood during this time while going on small quests, like hunting down bandits, for pay. We were also able to kill another two dragons that were terrorizing nearby villages and I discovered more Words of Power that I've been able to put to use. A very productive week, but the wait for Delphine was torture. I shared this complaint to Lydia as we headed back to the inn that morning. "Shite, this wait is worse than climbing High Hrothgar." I said. "Where in the hells is she?" Lydia chuckled.

"I told you she couldn't be trusted." She said in a mocking tone. "She probably ran off when she realized she couldn't deceive us."

"Deceive us?" I raised one eye at her. "How so? And on top of that, what made her realize?"

"Oh, there are thousands of ways to deceive a person out of gold and loot." She explained. "And hearing the rumors of your power, mayhaps she wanted to take advantage of it."

"And my other question?" I asked. She was silent at that and shook her head from one side to the other. I smiled. "It was because of me, wasn't it?" I laughed.

"Oh, don't get your head swelled." She retorted with a smirk. "It was I who scared her off. I figured her out from the start. On top of that she couldn't take me in a fight."

"Oh, really?" I replied, smirking back. "Because if I recall correctly, her jaw hit the ground at my Shouts. Did you see me on top of that dragon?"

"First off, you were not on top, you were standing next to it." She replied. "Second, yes I did happen to see someone who delivered the final blow to a dragon two days ago, me!"

"Oh!" I scoffed. "Different dragon, different scenario. The point is, if Delphine's gone and you're right, than I scared her off!."

"If?!" Lydia exclaimed. "She is gone! I am right! And I scared her off!" We paused for a few moments then burst out laughing. The entire week with her brought us closer. We were no longer just Thane and Housecarl, but friends who would live and die for each other.

We reached the inn and dismounted, still chuckling about our faux argument. For a moment I was lost in her smile and sparkling eyes. Then I caught myself and straightened out. We were friends. No more. Nothing could change that, I supposed to myself in thought, she probably thinks differently of me that I of her anyhow. Her smile disappeared, however, when we entered the inn to see Delphine standing there waiting for us.

"I don't think you weren't followed." She told us, ignoring Lydia's look of surprise and resentment. "Come on I have a plan." Lydia and I gave each other a quick glance then followed her to her secret war room through the closet. "I've figured out how we're going to get you into the Thalmor Embassy." She said to me.

"Just him? Alone?" Lydia interrupted before I could say a word. "No backup?"

"Unfortunately, no." Delphine answered. "As much as I would love to go in there myself, more than one person can ruin the infiltration. So neither you or I can go in with him." Her words didn't seem to reassure Lydia at all but she turned to me to continue. "The plan is this: The Thalmor ambassador, Elenwen, regularly throws parties where the rich and connected cozy up to the Thalmor. I can get you into one of those parties. Once you're in the embassy, you get away and find Elenwen's secret files."

"Just like that?" I inquired. "How are you getting me in? And how will I find my way around once inside? For all I know, I could accidentally find the guards' quarters or their training grounds."

"I have a contact inside the Embassy." She explained. "He's not up for this high-risk mission, but he can help you. His name is Malborn."

"How can I trust him?" I asked, glancing quickly at Lydia. I know she doesn't want me going on this mission alone, and likes it even less that I'm going in Delphine's way, so I have to make sure everything's safe enough that she'll ease up.

"Wood elf." Delphine answered. "Plenty of reason to hate the Thalmor. You can trust him." She directed that last part to Lydia as well. She must be aware of Lydia's resentment of her and wants to ease her as well. "I'll get word for him to meet you in Solitude, at the Winking Skeever. You know it?" I nodded. "While you're doing that I'll work on getting you an invitation to Elenwen's little party. Meet me at the Solitude stables after you've arrange things with Malborn. Any questions?"

"No, we're clear." I answered.

"Sounds good." She said. "Be careful."

"Are you sure about this?" Lydia asked me as we arrived at Solitude.

"I'll be fine." I assured her. "You've seen me in a fight before, this won't be any different."

"You've fought with bandits," she reminded me, "these will be trained Thalmor soldiers. A different class of fighting all together."

"I've also slain four dragons." I replied.

"With backup." She shot back. "You'll be on your own here." We dismounted and walked in silence at that.

The town of Solitude seemed very bias. We witnessed an execution for the gatekeeper who opened the door for Ulric to murder the High King, even though the keeper claimed it was an honest duel in which Ulfric won. He was killed non the less. "You see?" Lydia whispered to me as we left the execution and headed to the Winking Skeever. "These are the kind of people you're going up against. Cold and cruel."

"I think you're overreacting." I told her as we entered the inn. "Not all these people are wicked. Some are just decent folk living a different life."

"Even still." She responded, and she stopped there.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed a lean wood elf sitting alone at a table. Since there were only nords around, this must've been our contact. I motioned to Lydia and we went and sat down across from him. He gave us a quizzical look until I said, "Our mutual friend sent us." His eyes went wide for a moment.

"Really?" He exclaimed in a whisper. "You're who she picked? I hope she knows what she's doing."

"Looks can be deceiving, friend." I responded.

"You're no friend of mine." He responded. He looked around quickly then leaned in. "Here's the deal. I can smuggle some equipment into the embassy for you. Don't plan on bringing anything else with you. The Thalmor take security very seriously. Give me what you can't live without, and isn't too big, and I'll make sure it gets into the embassy. The rest is up to you."

"Wait," Lydia interrupted, "we're sending him in unarmed? How can we be sure you're to be trusted?"

"Lady, I'm going this far behind the Thalmor's back," he responded, "that's already death sentence. What more do you want?"

"You can't be serious." She said turning to me. "You can't go in unarmed."

"We have no choice." I said. "As much as I'd like to go in with all my equipment, this will have to do. Besides, I still have my Shouts." I turned back to Malborn to give him equipment. As much as I'd have liked to bring my greatsword in, that didn't seem likely. So I chose a one handed axe and a small shield we looted from some bandits on the road. I also gave him some light armor for extra protection.

"I'll see you later." He said, disappearing with my gear. We left to go meet Delphine at the stables. Lydia was fuming from this mission that was worsening by the minute, so I had to take her aside and assure to her I'd be fine. We found Delphine waiting for us next to a wagon filled with hay.

"Have you given Malborn the equipment to smuggle in for you?"

"Yes he did, and thanks for the warning." Lydia cut in. She was ignored.

"Here's your invitation to the party." Delphine handed a slip of paper. "The only way you're going to get past the guards is if they really believe you're an invited guest. Which means you need to look the part and not be armed to the teeth. Put this on." She handed some clothes for me to change into. I went behind a haystack to change into the fancy party outfit. I must've put it on wrong because when I came back out, Lydia was trying to hold in laughter.

"Here," she said, still trying not too laugh, "the buttons go like this." She began adjusting my shirt. "You know, you don't look half bad all dressed up, Will."

"Really? Because I feel ridiculous." I grumbled.

"You look fine." She assured me. She picked up the rest of my gear and threw it into my horse's saddle bags. "I'll keep these safe for you."

"You'd better." I said before returning my attention to Delphine.

"Well, I suppose that will have to do." She said. "You'll look like a real party guest. Until you open your mouth, at least. Ready?" I nodded. "Good luck." She motioned to the wagon, which I boarded, and off I went.

Author's Note: So that's it for now. Hope you guys liked it. Have a great Summer, see you in the Fall. Until then, sky guard you.